Computer-based telephone call conferencing

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments provide a system including a telephone and a computing device coupled to the telephone, the computing device to establish a conference call between the telephone and at least one other telephone.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present application is related to commonly-assigned, co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/740,951 (attorney docket no.2003P15317US), entitled “Computer-Based Telephone Call Signaling”; Ser.No. 10/740,950 (attorney docket no. 2003P15316US), entitled “NetworkableTelephone System”; Ser. No. 10/740,953 (attorney docket no.2003P15313US), entitled Telephone System Responsive to Call ControlProtocol”; Ser. No. 10/741,663 (attorney docket no. 2003P15315US),entitled “Networked Telephone System”; Ser. No. 10/741,362 (attorneydocket no. 2003P15310US), entitled “Computer-implemented Telephone CallConferencing System”; Ser. No. 10/742,304 (attorney docket no.2003P15311US), entitled “Computer-Based Telephone Call Management”; Ser.No. 10/741,474 (attorney docket no. 2003P15314US), entitled “TelephoneNetwork/Computer Network Gateway”, all of which were concurrently filedon Dec. 18, 2003.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments may relate generally to establishment of a conference callbetween two or more telephones.

2. Description

Corporations are offered a wide range of products to meet theirtelecommunications needs. Many of these products provide computer-basedcontrol of outgoing and incoming telephone calls. Such control mayinclude defining, establishing, and tracking conference calls among twoor more telephones.

The above-described products often utilize several software applicationsthat interact within a complex and expensive hardware infrastructure.Some of the software applications may rely on hardware operating systemsoftware and server applications bundled therewith. As a result, much ofthe functionality of corporate telecommunications products is notavailable to the home or small office user.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments provide a telephone and a computing device coupled tothe telephone, the computing device to establish a conference callbetween the telephone and at least one other telephone. The computingdevice may establish the conference call by defining one or moreworkgroups. In some aspects, the computing device presents a userinterface for defining members of the one or more workgroups. Thecomputing device may also or alternatively present a user interface fordefining participants in the conference call.

Some embodiments provide establishment of a conference call between atelephone to which a computing device is coupled and at least one othertelephone. Establishment of the conference call may include definitionof one or more workgroups. In some aspects, a user interface ispresented for defining members of the one or more workgroups. A userinterface may also or alternatively be presented for definingparticipants in the conference call.

With these and other advantages and features that will becomehereinafter apparent, further information may be obtained by referenceto the following detailed description of the invention, the appendedclaims and to the figures attached hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Some embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying figures, in whichlike reference numerals designate like parts, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system architecture according to someembodiments;

FIG. 3 is a view of a telephone according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the internal architecture of a telephoneaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the internal architecture of a computingdevice according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the software architecture of a serverapplication according to some embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a process according to some embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a process according to some embodiments;

FIG. 9 is an outward view of a user interface according to someembodiments;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a process according to some embodiments;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a process according to some embodiments;

FIG. 12 is an outward view of a user interface according to someembodiments;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a process according to some embodiments;and

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of a process according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of system 1 according to some embodiments.System 1 includes computing device 10, computer network 20 and telephone30. Some embodiments are generally described below with respect to FIG.1, with more detailed descriptions thereof to follow.

According to some embodiments, computing device 10 may establish atelephone call through telephone 30 over computer network 20. The callmay be established using a signaling protocol other than a SessionInitiation Protocol. As will be described below, such embodiments mayallow computing device 10 to provide call control features to telephone30 that are not currently available in certain computing environments.

Telephone 30 may include an interface port to receive a computer networkinterface device such as a Personal Computer Memory Card InternationalAssociation (PCMCIA) card. The network interface device may coupletelephone 30 to computer network 20. Telephone 30 may also be coupled toa telephone line (not shown) to receive telephone call signalstherefrom. In some embodiments, telephone 30 transmits informationassociated with received telephone signals to computing device 10.

Computing device 10 may establish a conference call between telephone 30and another telephone according to some embodiments. A conference callmay also or alternatively be established between two telephone handsets(not shown) that may be associated with telephone 30. Establishment of aconference call may include presenting a user interface to defineworkgroups, workgroup members, and/or conference call participants.

In some embodiments, computing device 10 selectively routes telephonecall signals to telephone 30 based on user-specified rules. Computingdevice 10 may present a user interface to a user for defining the rules.The rules may be associated with telephone call signals to be receivedby telephone 30 and/or with telephone call signals sent from anothertelephone.

FIG. 2 is a topographic view of a system architecture according to someembodiments. Of course, architectures other than that shown in FIG. 2may be used to implement in some embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows network computing device 10 and telephone 30 disposedwithin network 20. In some embodiments, network 20 comprises a homeand/or small office computing network. Many of the illustrated elementsof network 20 are therefore typical of such an environment.

Network 20 may comprise one or more systems for transferring data,including a local area network, a wide area network, a telephonenetwork, a cellular network, a fiber-optic network, a satellite network,an infra-red network, a radio frequency network, and any other type ofnetwork which may be used to transmit information between devices.Additionally, data may be transmitted through network 20 using one ormore currently- or hereafter-known network protocols, including but notlimited to Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Internet Protocol (IP),Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Wireless Application Protocol(WAP).

Modem 40 is coupled to Internet connection 45. Internet connection 45may comprise any currently- or hereafter-known media for connecting toInternet 50, such as a cable line, a telephone line, and a fractional T1line. Modem 40 comprises any modem suitable for the particular type ofInternet connection 45. Network 20 may transmit and receive data to andfrom Internet 50 via modem 40 and internet connection 45.

Modem 40 is coupled to router 55 to allow the elements of network 20 toshare access to Internet 50. Router 55 is in turn coupled to networkinterfaces such as CAT5 jack 60 that may be dispersed throughout thephysical environs of network 20. Computing device 10 is illustrated inFIG. 2 as a personal computer that is coupled to router 55 throughnetwork jack 60. Computing device 10 is therefore coupled to otherelements of network 20 that are in communication with router 55.According to some embodiments, computing device 10 is a typical homeand/or small office network server computer executing, for example, theWindows XP™ operating system. Computing device 10 may comprise anydevice or devices that are capable of performing the actions attributedherein to computing device 10.

Router 55 includes wireless antenna 65 for transmitting and receivingdata according to a wireless networking protocol. Such protocolsinclude, but are not limited to IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE802.11g, and ETSI BRAN. Other devices may therefore be wirelesslycoupled to router 55 and to network 20.

Telephone 30 is wirelessly coupled to router 55 and to network 20according to some embodiments. In this regard, telephone 30 may includecomputer network interface device 70 for communicating with router 55 inaccordance with a wireless protocol. Telephone 30 may include interfaceport 75 for receiving device 70. Computer network interface device 70may comprise a PCMCIA card, a Flash™ card, or any other suitable networkinterface device. In some embodiments, computer network interface device70 provides a wired connection to network 20.

Telephone 30 is coupled to telephone line 80, which is in turn coupledto the packet-switched telephone network (PSTN) 85. Telephone line 80may comprise an analog line, an Integrated Services Digital Network(ISDN) line, or other line compatible with PSTN 85. Telephone 30 mayreceive and transmit telephone call signals via telephone line 80.Telephone 30 may be coupled to more than one telephone line. In someembodiments, telephone 30 comprises any currently- or hereafter-knowntelephone suitable for home and/or small office use.

Telephone 30 includes antenna 90 for providing wireless communicationbetween telephone handsets 95 and 100 and base 105. Telephone 30 may becapable of managing separate telephone calls that are conductedsimultaneously using telephone handsets 95 and 100. Telephone 30 mayalso provide intercom, call transfer, conferencing, and/or otherfunctions using handsets 95 and 100. In some embodiments, telephone 30comprises a Gigaset® telephone manufactured by Siemens AG®.

Network 20 may also include devices such as laptop computer 110. In theillustrated embodiment, laptop computer 110 is wireless coupled tonetwork 20. Any number of other elements may be coupled to network 20via wireless and/or wired connections.

Devices 115 through 130 respectively comprise a desktop computer, acellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, and an Internet kiosk.Each of these devices is directly or indirectly in communication withInternet 50. Accordingly, each of these devices provides a Web browseror other application for communicating with Internet 50. Each device maytherefore receive data from and transmit data to network 20 if thesecurity configuration of its respective network provides for suchcommunication.

Detailed examples of operation of the FIG. 2 architecture according tosome embodiments are provided below. The elements of FIG. 2 may beconnected differently than as shown. For example, some or all of theelements may be connected directly to one another. Embodiments mayinclude elements that are different from those shown. Moreover, althoughthe illustrated communication links between the elements of FIG. 2appear dedicated, each of the links may be shared by other elements.Elements shown and described as coupled or in communication with eachother need not be constantly exchanging data. Rather, communication maybe established when necessary and severed at other times or alwaysavailable but rarely used to transmit data.

FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view of telephone 30 according to someembodiments. FIG. 3 shows interface port 75 prior to receipt of acomputer network interface device. Also shown are keypad 135 and display140 which may be used during operation of telephone 30. Handset 145 maybe wired or wirelessly connected to base 105 and used to conducttelephone calls.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the internal architecture of telephone 30according to some embodiments. As shown, controller 150 is coupled tobus 160. Bus 160 allows elements of telephone 30 to transmit signals toone another. In operation, controller 150 executes program code storedin Read Only Memory (ROM) 170 and Random Access Memory (RAM) 180.Telephone 30 may include other types of memory for storing program codeand data.

Execution of program code allows controller 150 to control displaycontroller 190, keypad controller 200, wireless interface 210, PSTNinterface 215, and interface port controller 220 in accordance with someembodiments. For example, controller 150 may control PSTN interface 215to receive telephone calls signals, may encapsulate the telephone callsignals according to a computer network protocol (e.g., IP), and maythereafter control interface port controller 220 to transmit theencapsulated telephone call signals to a computer network interfacedevice installed within interface port 75. The transmitted data mayidentify computing device 10 as the intended destination of theencapsulated telephone call signals.

In another example, controller 150 may execute program code to controlinterface port controller 220 to receive encapsulated telephone callsignals from the computer network interface device, may decapsulate theencapsulated telephone call signals to generate telephone call signals,and may control wireless interface 210 to transmit the telephone callsignals to one or both of handsets 95 and 100.

Controller 150 may also or alternatively execute program code to provideadvanced calling features to users of telephone 30. Such features mayinclude call conferencing, call transfer, and call forwarding amonghandsets 95 and 100. According to some embodiments, computing device 10defines a conference call, telephone 30 receives a definition of theconference call from computing device 10 over network 20, and theconference call is established between two or more handsets of telephone30 by controller 150.

The telephone call signals mentioned above include signaling and mediainformation that may be formatted by telephone 30 according to aproprietary call control protocol. Generally, a call control protocolmay be used to establish and manage telephone calls. Telephone 30 mayutilize a call control protocol to manage telephone calls betweenhandset 95 and/or handset 100 and an external device. In someembodiments, telephone 30 supports a third party call control protocolsuch as, but not limited to, Computer Supported TelecommunicationsApplications (CSTA) III.

For example, telephone 30 may receive call control signals associatedwith CSTA III from an external device such as computing device 10 viainterface port controller 220, and may execute call controlfunctionality based thereon. The call control signals may specify afirst functionality associated with handset 95 and a secondfunctionality associated with handset 100 according to some embodiments.Additionally, telephone 30 may transmit second call control signalsassociated with CSTA III to the external device. Some of the foregoingembodiments may facilitate the development of third party applicationsto control the functionality of telephone 30.

FIG. 5 is a representative block diagram of computing device 10according to some embodiments. Computing device 10 may comprise a singledevice or computer, a networked set or group of devices or computers, aworkstation, mainframe or host computer, etc. In some embodiments,computing device 10 comprises a device with sufficient memory andprocessing capability for use as a home and/or small office personalcomputer, workstation, and/or network server.

Computing device 10 of FIG. 5 includes microprocessor 230 incommunication with communication bus 240. Microprocessor 230 is used toexecute processor-executable process steps so as to control thecomponents computing device 10 to provide functionality according toembodiments of the present invention. Microprocessor 230 may comprise aPentium™, or Itanium™ microprocessor manufactured by Intel Corporation.Other suitable processors may be available from Motorola, Inc., AMD, orSun Microsystems, Inc. Microprocessor 230 also may comprise one or moremicroprocessors, computers, computer systems, etc.

Also in communication with communication bus 240 is network interface250. Network interface 250 may be configured with hardware suitable tophysically interface and communicate with network 20. Network interface250 may comprise a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) cardincluding a CAT5 and/or a wireless (e.g. 802.11b. 802.11g, ETSI BRAN)interface. Network interface 250 may operate in conjunction with devicedrivers executed by microprocessor to encapsulate and decapsulate datatransmitted and received over network 20 in accordance with a networkprotocol supported by network 20. In some embodiments, computing device10 receives and transmits encapsulated telephone call signals from andto telephone 30 over network interface 250.

Input device 260 and display 270 are also in communication withcommunication bus 240. Any known input device may be used as inputdevice 260, including a keyboard, mouse, touch pad, voice-recognitionsystem, or any combination of these devices. Input device 260 may beused by a user to input information and commands to computing device 10.Such information may include definitions of workgroups, definitions ofconference call participants, and user-defined rules for telephonemanagement. This information may also be received by computing device 10from an external device via network interface 250.

Display 270 may be an integral or separate CRT display; a flat-paneldisplay or the like. Display 250 is generally used to output graphicsand text to an operator in response to commands issued by microprocessor230. Display 270 may display user interfaces for receiving definitionsof workgroups, definitions of conference call participants, anduser-defined rules for telephone management.

RAM 280 is connected to communication bus 240 to provide microprocessor230 with fast data storage and retrieval. In this regard,processor-executable process steps being executed by microprocessor 230are typically stored temporarily in RAM 280 and executed therefrom bymicroprocessor 230. ROM 290, in contrast, may provide storage from whichdata can be retrieved but to which data cannot be stored. Accordingly,ROM 290 may be used to store invariant process steps and other data,such as basic input/output instructions and data used during systemboot-up or to control input device 260. One or both of RAM 280 and ROM290 may communicate directly with microprocessor 230 instead of overcommunication bus 240.

Data storage device 295 stores, among other data, processor-executableprocess steps of telephone control server application 296. Telephonecontrol server application 296 may comprise process steps that areexecutable to provide all, some, or none of the functionality attributedherein to computing device 30.

Application 296 may also comprise process steps of a Web server and maybe executed to provide information to a Web client, such as a Webbrowser executed by device 115 of FIG. 2. Generally, such a Web serverreceives Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) requests from a Web clientand, in response, creates and sends appropriate Web pages to the Webclient. Information may also be received from the Web client, includingdefinitions of workgroups, definitions of conference call participants,and user-defined rules for telephone management. The functionality oftelephone control server application 296 will be described in moredetail below with respect to FIG. 6.

The process steps of telephone control server application 296 may beread from a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, aDVD-ROM, a Zip™ disk, a magnetic tape, or a signal encoding the processsteps, and then stored in data storage device 295 in a compressed,uncompiled and/or encrypted format. In alternative embodiments,hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with,processor-executable process steps for implementation of the processesdescribed herein. Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specificcombination of hardware and software.

Data storage device 295 also stores workgroup definitions database 297,conference call definitions database 298, and call management rulesdatabase 299. Workgroup definitions database 297 may include dataassociating individuals and/or communication devices with particularworkgroups. In some embodiments, an individual may be associated withone or more communication devices, and/or an individual or a device maybe associated with more than one workgroup. The data stored in workgroupdefinitions database 297 may be received from unshown collaborationapplications (e.g., WebEx™, LiveMeeting™), and/or from a user throughone or more user interfaces provided by application 296 and displayed bydisplay 270.

Conference call definitions database 298 may include data definingconference calls. Such data may include call participants (e.g.,individuals, devices, and/or workgroups), call time, call duration, calltopic, and dialing instructions. This data may be received fromcollaboration applications and/or from a user via user interfacesprovided by application 296 and displayed by display 270.

Call management rules database 299 may comprise rules for managingincoming and/or outgoing telephone calls. For example, the rules mayspecify that certain received calls should be directly transmitted to avoice mail system, and/or that other received calls should betransferred to a home telephone. The rules may be triggered based oncall sender, call recipient, called party availability, time of day,and/or any other factors. A user may use user interfaces provided byapplication 296 and displayed by display 270 to input the rules intodatabase 299.

One or more of databases 297 through 299 may be stored within anexternal database server that is connected to computing device 10 vianetwork 20. Such a server may also be directly connected to computingdevice 10 via a communication medium such as a serial port cable,telephone line or radio frequency transceiver.

Stored in data storage device 295 may also be other unshown elementsthat may be necessary for operation of computing device 10, such asother applications, other data files, a network server, an operatingsystem, a database management system and “device drivers” for allowingmicroprocessor 230 to interface with external devices. These elementsare known to those skilled in the art, and are therefore not describedin detail herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates several components of the software architecture oftelephone control server application 296 according to some embodiments.The first layer of the architecture includes communication broker 300.Communication broker 300 may comprise a collection of middlewareinterfaces and adapting layers that enable application 296 tocommunicate with disparate systems. In some embodiments, communicationbroker 300 decapsulates incoming information and encapsulates outgoinginformation in accordance with the IP protocol.

Personal productivity application 310 may be used to define rules forrouting and/or managing telephone calls. As mentioned above, the rulesmay specify that certain received calls should be directly transmittedto a voice mail system, and/or that other received calls should betransferred to a home telephone. The rules may be triggered based oncall sender, call recipient, called party availability, time of day,and/or any other factors.

Application 310 may provide for rules that are based on the presence ofspecified parties. Such presence may be detected using presence-relatedfeatures of other applications (e.g., Windows Messenger™) that may beinstalled within computing device 10.

Personal productivity application 310 may capture user-defined rules bypresenting a suitable user interface and by capturing the informationinput thereto. The rules may then be stored in call management rulesdatabase 299. In some embodiments, personal productivity application 310provides a Web portal. A user may access such a portal using a devicethat is coupled to computing device 10 over an IP network. Such a devicemay be internal to network 20 (e.g., laptop computer 110) or externalthereto (e.g., personal digital assistant 125.

Workgroup collaboration application 320 may be executed to associateindividuals and/or communication devices with particular workgroups. Asdescribed above, these associations may be stored in workgroupdefinitions database 297. The particular individuals and/or devices thatare associated with workgroups may be obtained from data stored by othercontact, collaboration and/or calendaring applications (e.g., WebEx™,LiveMeeting™), and/or from a user through one or more user interfacesprovided by application 296. Again, such user interfaces may bepresented on display 270 and/or within a Web browser window of a remotedevice.

Workgroup collaboration application 320 may also provide for thedefinition of conference calls. The definitions may be stored inconference call definitions database and may include call participants(e.g., individuals, devices, and/or workgroups), call time, callduration, call topic, and dialing instructions. The definitions may bereceived from collaboration applications and/or from a user interfaceprovided by application 320.

Assistant engine 330 may convert information between a first format anda format native to application 296. In some embodiments, assistantengine 330 convert telephone call signals between a native Gigaset®format and a native Openscape®-format. Openscape® identifies acommunications software suite developed by Siemens AGO.

Assistant engine 330 passes telephone call signals to virtual assistant340 and conferencing assistant 350. Virtual assistant 340 appliesuser-defined rules to selectively route the received telephone callsignals. The rules may be stored in call management rules database 299or elsewhere. Conferencing assistant 350 may establish a conference callbetween telephone 30 and at least one other telephone based onconference call definitions stored in conference call definitionsdatabase 298. A conference call definition may specify a workgroup toparticipate in a conference call, therefore conferencing assistant 350may also access workgroup definitions database 297 to establish aconference call. In some embodiments, conferencing assistant 350 definesa conference call and telephone 30 establishes the conference call usingits embedded conferencing capability as described above.

Telephone control server application 296 may include more componentsthan shown in FIG. 6. Some embodiments do not include one or more of theillustrated components of application 296. In some embodiments, one ormore elements of application 296 may be stored and/or executed externalto computing device 10. Moreover, one or both of applications 310 and320 may be installed as a “plug-in” to an existing application and/ormay comprise a standalone application.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of process steps according to some embodiments.The process steps may be executed by elements of telephone 30 andelements of computing device 10 as shown in FIG. 7. The process stepsmay be performed by any device or by any number of devices incombination. Moreover, some or all of the process steps may be performedmanually.

Initially, at 400, telephone 30 receives telephone call signals fromtelephone line 80. The telephone call signals include signaling andmedia information and may originate from PSTN 85 and be received by PSTNinterface 215. Next, at 405, controller 150 of telephone 30 encapsulatesthe telephone call signals in accordance with a computer networkprotocol such as IP protocol. The telephone call signals may beformatted prior to encapsulation according to a proprietary and/or thirdparty call control protocol. The encapsulated telephone call signals aretransmitted over network 20 to computing device 10 via interface portcontroller 220 at 410.

Computing device 10 receives the encapsulated telephone call signalsover network interface 250 and decapsulates the telephone call signalsat 415. Assistant engine 330 may thereafter convert the telephone-callsignals from a first format to a second format that is compatible withtelephone control server application 296. The telephone call signals arethen processed at 417 by one or both of virtual assistant 340 andconferencing assistant 250 according to some embodiments. Telephonecontrol server application 296 then determines that the telephone callsignals are intended for telephone 30 at 420.

Assistant engine 330 may convert the telephone call signals back to thefirst format and communication broker 300 may encapsulate the telephonecall signals in accordance with the computer network protocol at 425. At430, computing device 10 transmits the encapsulated telephone callsignals back to telephone 30 to establish a telephone call withtelephone 30. Accordingly, telephone 30 receives and decapsulates thetelephone call signals at 435 and conducts a telephone call based on thetelephone call signals at 440.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of process steps according to some embodiments.The FIG. 8 process steps may be executed to establish a telephone callbetween telephone handset 95 and telephone handset 100.

Antenna 90 of telephone 30 receives telephone call signals fromtelephone handset 95 at 500. In some embodiments, the telephone callsignals are formatted in accordance with a proprietary protocol oftelephone 30. Controller 150 of telephone 30 encapsulates the telephonecall signals in accordance with a computer network protocol at 505. Theencapsulated telephone call signals are then transmitted over network 20to computing device 10 via interface port controller 220 at 510.

Computing device 10 receives the encapsulated telephone call signalsover network interface 250 and decapsulates the telephone call signalsat 515. Assistant engine 330 may thereafter convert the telephone callsignals from a first format (e.g., proprietary or third party) to asecond format that is compatible with telephone control serverapplication 296. The telephone call signals are then processed at 517 byone or both of virtual assistant 340 and conferencing assistant 250according to some embodiments. Telephone control server application 296then determines, at 520, that the telephone call signals are intendedfor telephone handset 100.

Next, at 525, assistant engine 330 may convert the telephone callsignals back to the first format and communication broker 300 mayencapsulate the telephone call signals in accordance with the computernetwork protocol. At 530, computing device 10 transmits the encapsulatedtelephone call signals back to telephone 30 to establish a telephonecall with telephone handset 100. Telephone 30 receives and decapsulatesthe telephone call signals at 535, and determines that the telephonecall signals are intended for telephone handset 100 at 540. Telephone 30then transmits the telephone call signals to handset 100 via antenna 90at 545 so that handset 100 may conduct the telephone call.

FIG. 9 is a representative view of web page 600 according to someembodiments. Web page 600 may comprise a user interface for definingrules. The rules may be applied to incoming and/or outgoing telephonecalls to selectively route the telephone calls. For example, the rulesmay specify that certain received calls should be directly transmittedto a voice mail system, and/or that other received calls should betransferred to a home telephone. The rules may be triggered based oncall sender, call recipient, called party availability, time of day,and/or any other factors. Any suitable interface for defining such rulesmay be used in conjunction with some embodiments. Once the rules areinput using an interface such as Web page 600, the rules may be storedin call management rules database 299 or elsewhere.

Web page 600 may be displayed on display 270 of computing device 10 oron the display of any other device having access to a Web serverprovided by telephone control server application 296. More specifically,a user may operate a device to input an appropriate Uniform ResourceLocator (URL) into a Web browser provided by the device. In response, anIP address corresponding to the URL is retrieved from a Domain NameServer coupled to Internet 50 and a request for a particular Web page issent via HTTP to the IP address. The Web page is then transmitted to anddisplayed by the Web browser as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of process steps to selectively routetelephone calls based on user-defined rules according to someembodiments. Telephone 30 initially receives telephone call signals fromtelephone line 80 at 700. The telephone call signals are encapsulated inaccordance with a computer network protocol of network 20 at 705. Next,at 710, the encapsulated telephone call signals are transmitted overnetwork 20 to computing device 10 via interface port controller 220.

At 715, computing device 10 receives the encapsulated telephone callsignals over network interface 250 and decapsulates the telephone callsignals. Assistant engine 330 may then convert the telephone callsignals from a first format of telephone 30 to a second format that iscompatible with virtual assistant 340.

Virtual assistant 340 determines that the telephone call signals areintended for telephone 30 at 720. Virtual assistant 340 then determines,at 725, an action based on incoming call rules associated with telephone30. More specifically, virtual assistant 340 may access call managementrules database 299 to identify rules that are to be applied to telephonecall signals intended for telephone 30. As described above, these rulesmay specify that certain telephone call signals intended for telephone30 should be directly routed to a voice mail system, and/or that othertelephone call signals intended for telephone 30 should be routedelsewhere. The rules may specify routing of the telephone call signalsbased on sender, recipient, recipient presence information, time of day,and/or any other factors.

In the present example, it will be assumed that it is determined at 725to route the telephone call signals to telephone 30. Therefore, at 730,assistant engine 330 may convert the telephone call signals back to thefirst format and communication broker 300 may encapsulate the telephonecall signals in accordance with the computer network protocol.

Next, at 735, computing device 10 transmits the encapsulated telephonecall signals back to telephone 30 to establish a telephone call.Accordingly, telephone 30 receives and decapsulates the telephone callsignals at 740 and conducts a telephone call based on the telephone callsignals at 745.

The FIG. 11 process steps may be executed to selectively route atelephone call between telephone handset 95 and telephone handset 100based on user-defined rules according to some embodiments.

Antenna 90 of telephone 30 receives telephone call signals fromtelephone handset 95 at 800. The telephone call signals may be formattedin accordance with a proprietary protocol of telephone 30. Telephone 30encapsulates the telephone call signals in accordance with a computernetwork protocol such as IP protocol at 805. The encapsulated telephonecall signals are then transmitted, at 810, over network 20 to computingdevice 10 via interface port controller 220.

Computing device 10 receives the encapsulated telephone call signalsover network interface 250 and decapsulates the telephone call signalsat 815. Assistant engine 330 may then convert the telephone call signalsfrom a first format of telephone 30 to a second format that iscompatible with virtual assistant 340. Virtual assistant 340 thendetermines, at 820, an action based on outgoing call rules associatedwith telephone handset 95.

As mentioned above, virtual assistant 340 may access call managementrules database 299 at 820 to identify rules that are to be applied totelephone call signals transmitted from telephone handset 95. Theserules may specify that certain telephone call signals transmitted fromtelephone handset 95 should be delayed for a specified period of time,and/or that other telephone call signals transmitted from telephonehandset 95 should be routed somewhere other than the originally-intendeddestination. For purposes of the present example, it will be assumedthat it is determined at 820 to route the telephone call signals totheir intended destination.

Virtual assistant 340 determines that the telephone call signals areintended for telephone handset 100 at 825. Virtual assistant 340 thendetermines, at 830, an action based on incoming call rules associatedwith telephone handset 100. These rules may also be stored in callmanagement rules database 299. It will be assumed that virtual assistant340 determines to route the telephone call signals to telephone handset100 at 830. Therefore, at 835, assistant engine 330 may convert thetelephone call signals back to the first format and communication broker300 may encapsulate the telephone call signals in accordance with thecomputer network protocol.

Next, at 840, computing device 10 transmits the encapsulated telephonecall signals back to telephone 30 to establish a telephone call withtelephone handset 100. Telephone 30 receives and decapsulates thetelephone call signals at 845, and determines that the telephone callsignals are intended for telephone handset 100 at 850. At 855, telephone30 then transmits the telephone call signals to handset 100 via antenna90 so that handset 100 may conduct the telephone call.

In some embodiments, virtual assistant 340 determines at 825 that thetelephone call signals are intended for a telephone located in PSTN 85.Accordingly, virtual assistant 340 would then determine an action basedon incoming call rules associated with the externally-located telephone,if any such rules exist. The telephone call signals would then betransmitted to telephone 30 and to PSTN 85 through telephone line 80.

FIG. 12 is a representative view of web page 900 according to someembodiments. Web page 900 may be displayed on display 270 of computingdevice 10 or on the display of any other device having access to a Webserver provided by telephone control server application 296.

Web page 900 may comprise a user interface for defining a conferencecall. Accordingly, Web page 900 may comprise elements for selectingparticipants, communication devices and/or workgroups. Web page 900 mayalso include elements for defining members of one or more workgroups. Insome embodiments, an individual may be associated with one or morecommunication devices, and/or an individual or a device may beassociated with more than one workgroup.

Web page 900 according to some embodiments includes elements forspecifying other conference call details such as call time, callduration, call topic, and dialing instructions. The participants,communication devices and/or workgroups that are selectable via Web page900 may be extracted from a local or remote address book (e.g. MicrosoftOutlook™, Lotus Notes™), and/or from other collaboration applications(e.g., WebEx™, LiveMeeting™) installed in computing device 10.

Any suitable interface for defining workgroups and/or conference callsmay be used in conjunction with some embodiments. Such a user interfacemay be composed of a plurality of individual Web pages and/or otherinterfaces. The defined workgroups and conference calls may be stored inworkgroup definitions database 297 and conference call definitionsdatabase 298, respectively.

FIG. 13 illustrates process steps to establish a conference callaccording to some embodiments. Initially, at 1000, computing device 10presents a user interface for defining participants in the conferencecall. Such an interface may comprise Web page 900 of FIG. 9, and may bepresented on display 270 and/or within a Web browser of another devicehaving access to telephone control server application 296.

The participants in the conference call are defined at 1005. Definitionof the participants may comprise receiving user input to the presenteduser interface and storing the input in conference call definitionsdatabase 298. Other details of the conference call such as thosedescribed above may be defined at 1005.

The conference call is established between telephone 30 and at least oneother telephone at 1010. The conference call may be established byreceiving encapsulated telephone call signals from telephone 30 overnetwork 20 and creating a connection between the at least one othertelephone and telephone 30 based on the telephone call signals and basedon the defined details of the conference call.

Next, at 1015, encapsulated telephone call signals of the conferencecall are transmitted from computing device 10 to telephone 30. Telephone30 receives and decapsulates the telephone call signals at 1020 andconducts the conference call at 1025.

FIG. 14 illustrates process steps to establish a conference call usingconferencing capabilities of telephone 30 according to some embodiments.At 1100, computing device 10 presents a user interface such as Web page900 for defining participants in the conference call. A user manipulatesthe interface to indicate that the conference call is to includetelephone handsets 95 and 100, and a corresponding definition is storedin conference call definitions database 298.

Computing device 10 may then receive encapsulated telephone call signalsfrom one of telephone handsets 95 and 100, decapsulate the telephonecall signals, and determine, based on the signals and based oninformation stored in conference call definitions database 298, that thetelephone call signals are associated with a conference call betweentelephone handsets 95 and 100.

Computing device 10 therefore encapsulates the telephone call signalsand transmits the encapsulated telephone call signals to telephone 30 at1110. Telephone 30 decapsulates the telephone call signals at 1115 anddetermines that the telephone call signals are associated with aconference call between handsets 95 and 100. In this regard, thereceived telephone call signals may include data from computing device10 indicating that the telephone call signals are associated with aconference call between handsets 95 and 100.

Telephone 30 establishes a conference call between handsets 95 and 100at 1120 using its embedded conferencing capability. The conference callis thereafter conducted at 1125.

The particular arrangements of process steps described above are notmeant to imply a fixed order; embodiments can be practiced in any orderthat is practicable. In some embodiments, the process steps may beexecuted by elements of telephone 30 and elements of computing device10, and may be performed by any device or by any number of devices incombination. Moreover, some or all of the process steps may be performedmanually.

The processes described herein may be embodied as program code developedusing an object-oriented language that allows the modeling of complexsystems with modular objects to create abstractions that arerepresentative of real world, physical objects and theirinterrelationships. However, embodiments may be implemented in manydifferent ways using a wide range of programming techniques as well asgeneral-purpose hardware systems or dedicated controllers. In addition,in some embodiments, many, if not all, of the elements described aboveare optional or can be combined into single elements.

Any embodiments described above are not intended to be limited to thespecific form set forth herein, but are intended to cover suchalternatives, modifications and equivalents as can reasonably beincluded within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A system comprising: a telephone; and a computing device coupled tothe telephone, the computing device to establish a conference callbetween the telephone and at least one other telephone.
 2. A systemaccording to claim 1, the computing device to establish the conferencecall by defining one or more workgroups.
 3. A system according to claim2, the computing device to present a user interface for defining membersof the one or more workgroups.
 4. A system according to claim 1, thecomputing device to present a user interface for defining participantsin the conference call.
 5. A system according to claim 1, the computingdevice to transmit telephone call signals of the conference call to thetelephone.
 6. A system according to claim 1, further comprising: acomputer network to couple the computing device to the telephone.
 7. Asystem according to claim 6, the computer network comprising an InternetProtocol computer network.
 8. A system according to claim 6, thecomputer network to couple the computing device to the at least oneother telephone.
 9. A method for a computing device, the methodcomprising: establishing a conference call between a telephone to whichthe computing device is coupled and at least one other telephone.
 10. Amethod according to claim 9, wherein establishing the conference callfurther comprises: defining one or more workgroups.
 11. A methodaccording to claim 10, further comprising: presenting a user interfacefor defining members of the one or more workgroups.
 12. A methodaccording to claim 9, further comprising: presenting a user interfacefor defining participants in the conference call.
 13. A method accordingto claim 9, further comprising: transmitting telephone call signals ofthe conference call to the telephone.
 14. A method according to claim 9,wherein the computing device is coupled to the telephone via a computernetwork.
 15. A method according to claim 14, the computer networkcomprising an Internet Protocol computer network.
 16. A method accordingto claim 14, the computer network to couple the computing device to theat least one other telephone.
 17. A computing device comprising: aprocessor; and a storage device coupled to the processor and storinginstructions adapted to be executed by the processor to: establish aconference call between a telephone to which the computing device iscoupled and at least one other telephone.
 18. A device according toclaim 17, wherein the instructions adapted to be executed by theprocessor to establish the conference call comprise instructions adaptedto be executed by the processor to define one or more workgroups.
 19. Adevice according to claim 18, the storage device further storinginstructions adapted to be executed by the processor to: present a userinterface for defining members of the one or more workgroups.
 20. Adevice according to claim 17, the storage device further storinginstructions adapted to be executed by the processor to: present a userinterface for defining participants in the conference call.
 21. A deviceaccording to claim 17, the storage device further storing instructionsadapted to be executed by the processor to: transmit telephone callsignals of the conference call to the telephone.
 22. A device accordingto claim 17, wherein the computing device is coupled to the telephonevia a computer network.
 23. A device according to claim 22, the computernetwork comprising an Internet Protocol computer network.
 24. A deviceaccording to claim 22, the computer network to couple the computingdevice to the at least one other telephone.